It was a memorable Thanksgiving weekend for former North Bay Battalion netminder Dom DiVincentiis.
The Winnipeg Jets prospect recorded his first professional win with the Jets American Hockey League Affiliate Manitoba Moose.
The former Battalion star netminder made 37 saves as the Moose defeated the Iowa Wild 3-2 on Saturday night.
DiVincentiis was his sharpest in the second period as he turned away all 16 shots he faced and then followed up making 16 of 17 stops in the final frame to help secure the win.
"The first pro win is the one you dream of as a kid," said DiVincentiis post game.
He says the win at the AHL level felt more normal than his first win with the North Bay Battalion in junior.
"I don't feel that extra emotion and ultimately I think it has to do with how the guys have been treating me here, they have been making me feel part of the team and comfortable right from the start," said DiVincentiis.
"First pro game, first pro win but that was a hell of a team effort. I think ultimately that trust from the team and from the coaches to start me in today's game is why I was able to come into this comfortable and ready to go. I couldn't thank them enough for putting me into this game."
Appleby big win
Saturday night was also a big night for North Bay native Ken Appleby. The former North Bay Trappers goalie made 21 saves for the Charlotte Checkers as they blanked his former team, the Bridgeport Islanders 3-0.
Appleby signed in the off-season with the Charlotte Checkers, who are the AHL affiliate team of the Florida Panthers. Appleby suited up for one NHL game last year for the Bridgeport Islanders, who are the AHL affiliate team for the New York Islanders.
Appleby came in relief of Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin on January 15, 2024 as the Islanders were dumped 5-0. It was 2100 days between NHL action as his last action before that was in January of 2018.
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